An executive hires a mousy, plain woman as his secretary so she will not divert him from his work, but she still becomes determined to win his heart.An executive hires a mousy, plain woman as his secretary so she will not divert him from his work, but she still becomes determined to win his heart.An executive hires a mousy, plain woman as his secretary so she will not divert him from his work, but she still becomes determined to win his heart.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
Lilian Bond
- Girl at Bar
- (uncredited)
Yola d'Avril
- Girl in Bath Tub
- (uncredited)
Geraldine Dvorak
- Parisian Nightclub Dancer
- (uncredited)
Harry Holman
- Hotel Manager
- (uncredited)
Olaf Hytten
- Business Associate
- (uncredited)
Barbara Leonard
- Girl with Dog
- (uncredited)
August Tollaire
- Paris Hotel Guest in Hallway
- (uncredited)
Polly Walters
- Ludwig's Girl
- (uncredited)
Leo White
- Man in Elevator
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
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Featured reviews
About a bank president who talks about putting a new rule into the company: "all females must wear long sleeves and high necks". Seems he is easily distracted by women, particularly his attractive and flirtatious secretary who he thinks is a "playgirl" rather than working girl, good for after hours only. He actually fires her - and she doesn't mind, 'cause she apparently agrees with this after hours concept, and becomes one of his new girlfriends (there seem to be many others too, judging by the office visits and phone calls from bathtubs he keeps getting). Soon a young waif arrives - hungry and oddly dressed in an outfit that includes black umbrella and flat black hat with a big white feather in it (why do these poor waif girls in old movies always seem to wear an odd feathered hat?). Well, seems she's an out-of-work stenographer looking to get hired - and turns out she's a whiz who loves work too, spending her free time toning her secretarial skills rather than dating men, she takes shorthand at 150 words a minute! He hires her on the spot since she's "plain" - seems even though she is clearly very pretty, he for some reason (like often seen in movies) can't see her beauty through the odd outfit. Well, she falls for him and soon blooms!
This is a thoroughly entertaining, fast paced, fun-to-watch film with lots of amusing pre-code banter and top-notch performances adding to the mix - I loved it. Warren William, one of my favorite actors from this time period, is just perfect as the rather handsome but stiff "girl crazy" boss, and Marian Marsh as the waif (who I thought looked like Reese Witherspoon in the earlier scenes) is just SO cute and charming - I really enjoyed her performance. Cute scene where she gets "taught" by the previous secretary how to seduce a man via accidentally-on-purpose leaning against him, and she tries it out on the boss. Really excellent film.
This is a thoroughly entertaining, fast paced, fun-to-watch film with lots of amusing pre-code banter and top-notch performances adding to the mix - I loved it. Warren William, one of my favorite actors from this time period, is just perfect as the rather handsome but stiff "girl crazy" boss, and Marian Marsh as the waif (who I thought looked like Reese Witherspoon in the earlier scenes) is just SO cute and charming - I really enjoyed her performance. Cute scene where she gets "taught" by the previous secretary how to seduce a man via accidentally-on-purpose leaning against him, and she tries it out on the boss. Really excellent film.
I'm amazed this film isn't rated higher than 6.8! It's a fast-paced gem with snappy dialogue and terrific performances.
As another reviewer noted, this may be one of the first, if not THE first, film in which the big boss (played with dismissive invective and pure slime by the excellent Warren William) falls for his secretary (played with ultra-efficiency and rapid fire dialogue by ugly duckling Marian Marsh) by the end of the film.
The old boss-loves-secretary scenario plays fresh and funny here, setting a standard that subsequent films fail to capture.
I was surprised how much I truly enjoyed "Beauty and the Boss", and I highly recommend it. It is laugh-out-loud funny!
If you need me, I'll be working on some research!
As another reviewer noted, this may be one of the first, if not THE first, film in which the big boss (played with dismissive invective and pure slime by the excellent Warren William) falls for his secretary (played with ultra-efficiency and rapid fire dialogue by ugly duckling Marian Marsh) by the end of the film.
The old boss-loves-secretary scenario plays fresh and funny here, setting a standard that subsequent films fail to capture.
I was surprised how much I truly enjoyed "Beauty and the Boss", and I highly recommend it. It is laugh-out-loud funny!
If you need me, I'll be working on some research!
Although it betrays its theater-script origins in the rhythm of the performances and dialogue, this sparkling little formula comedy about a secretary who wins a rich Baron is chockablock with snappy retorts and racy rejoinders. Marian Marsh is adorable, charming and always convincing.
The surprising candor of the script is refreshing: despite the free modern use of more explicit language, this depression-era tale leaves nothing to the imagination. Its honesty is surprising and heightens the humor of the gentle jokes.
Watching scenes played out between Marsh and Warren William with such genuine engagement would be impossible in the modern era of frenetic jump-cutting. What a treat to see talented performers do such naughty and giggly scenes in a single take with hardly a cutaway or interruption in sight!
The surprising candor of the script is refreshing: despite the free modern use of more explicit language, this depression-era tale leaves nothing to the imagination. Its honesty is surprising and heightens the humor of the gentle jokes.
Watching scenes played out between Marsh and Warren William with such genuine engagement would be impossible in the modern era of frenetic jump-cutting. What a treat to see talented performers do such naughty and giggly scenes in a single take with hardly a cutaway or interruption in sight!
Warren William and Marian Marsh sparkle in this delicious Vitaphone production. Ms. Marsh handles the role of a dowdy but wise secretary with great aplomb, she's delightful! William (the star with two first names) is charming as the playboy baron with an amorous secretary on every phone line. Charles Butterworth adds to the fun with his usual hijinks. This one's a keeper!
Rapid fire dialog rips through this charming pre code gem so fast you'll have to put down your iPhone to enjoy.
Marian Marsh shines and Warren William is offensive and hilarious.
Did you know
- TriviaThis film was based on a 1928 Hungarian play by Ladislas Fodor about a secretary who eventually marries her boss. The original play opened in Budapest, Hungary, on 2 December 1927. According to Variety, Paul Frank was a co-author of the Hungarian play.
- Goofs(at around 41 mins) Ollie's black gown goes from being open and undone, (where her undergarments can be seen) to suddenly closed and fastened tightly.
- Quotes
Reporter at Airport: How did you find the American women?
Ludwig Pfeffer Jr.: I took a taxi cab.
- ConnectionsRemade as The Church Mouse (1934)
- SoundtracksVienna
Music by Leo F. Forbstein
Details
- Runtime
- 1h 6m(66 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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